Adjustable x-ray filter

ABSTRACT

The present invention pertains to a system and method for adaptive X-ray filtration comprising a volume of X-ray attenuating material with a central less attenuating three-dimensional region. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be positioned within 10 cm from an X-ray source and rotated around an internal axis of rotation. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be symmetric around the internal axis while the central less attenuating region can be asymmetric around the internal axis. Rotating the volume by a predetermined angle around the internal axis can change the amount of attenuation of an X-ray beam through the filter. The volume can be rotated by the same predetermined angle as an imaging subject or X-ray source and detector are rotated during X-ray image acquisition.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION

This application is divisional application claiming priority from theco-pending U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/927,246,Attorney Docket Number TRT-13-C1, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FORVARIABLE X-RAY FILTRATION,” with filing date Oct. 29, 2015, which is acontinuation of U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No.13/931,553, Attorney Docket Number TRT-13, entitled “METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR ADAPTIVE X-RAY FILTRATION,” with filing date Jun. 28,2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,173,621, which claims priority to U.S.provisional patent application, Ser. No. 61/807,704, entitled “SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE BOWTIE FILTRATION,” Attorney Docket NumberTRT-13, filed Apr. 2, 2013, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of X-ray imaging. The presentinvention is also in the field of X-ray filters for computed tomographyX-ray imaging.

BACKGROUND

Decreasing regional variations in exposure levels seen by an X-raydetector can yield improvements X-ray image quality; since a detectorcan be limited to a predetermined dynamic range, minimizing thedifference between the most exposed and least exposed regions of thedetector can improve its sensitivity to slight differences in exposure,e.g., the contrast, or avoid having saturated or completely dark regionsin an image. It can be particularly difficult to control dynamic rangein computed tomography (CT) applications due to the plurality ofdifferent projection images seen by the detector in a single scan. InCT, projection images can be acquired through more than 180 degreesaround a patient, and the profile of a patient can be much narrower insome projections than others, e.g., narrower viewed from shoulder toshoulder than front to back. In narrow projections the detector may behighly exposed or over exposed, e.g., on the edges. Conversely, wideprojections may receive a higher dose than necessary to penetrate thepatient in that direction, as a patient may be thinner in a front toback orientation than in a side to side projection. Narrowing dynamicrange in CT may both improve image quality and decrease patient X-raydose.

One strategy that has been implemented to address dynamic range problemsin CT is placement of a bowtie filter between an X-ray source and thepatient during imaging. A bowtie filter has been a physical filter witha shape that is relatively thick near the edges and thin at its center,with a linear, parabolic, circular, or any other type of gradientbetween these maxima and minima. Use of a bowtie filter can also providebenefits for patient X-ray dose reduction, which has been a goal of themedical imaging community over the past decades. Without use of thefilter, achieving enough photons for adequate noise performance at thecenter of the detector, where in some projections the patient may be thethickest, may result in the outer regions of the detector receiving anunnecessarily large number of photons. This large number of photons maybe detrimental to image quality any may also contribute to excesspatient dose.

While bowtie filters can have many advantages, their utility is alsolimited by a lack of adaptability. For example, to accommodate a rangeof patient sizes, a set of bowtie filters of variety of sizes may beprovided and the closest match can be selected for use with eachpatient. However, the closest match from a premade set may not be anexact or ideal match for each patient. The thickness of a patientprofile also can vary with projection angle, such that a single bowtiefilter cannot achieve optimal results at all projection anglesthroughout a CT scan of a patient. A limited number of relativelycomplex bowtie filters have been proposed for adaptive bowtiefiltration. Examples include a piecewise-linear dynamic bowtie filterproposed by Hsieh et al. (Scott S. Hsieh; Norbert J. Pelc. “Thefeasibility of a piecewise-linear dynamic bowtie filter.” Med. Phys. 40,031910 (2013)), which utilizes a plurality of precisely controlledwedge-like pistons to implement piecewise triangular function and adynamic bowtie filter comprising a pair of sliding wedges proposed bySzczykutowicz et al (Timothy P. Szczykutowicz; Charles Mistretta.“Intensity Modulated CT implemented with a dynamic bowtie filter.” Proc.SPIE 8668, Medical Imaging 2013: Physics of Medical Imaging, 866818(Mar. 19, 2013)).

Embodiments of the present invention can provide adaptive bowtiefiltration with relatively simple and fast implementation methods andenhanced flexibility relative to existing systems.

SUMMARY

The present invention pertains to a system and method for adaptive X-rayfiltration comprising a volume of X-ray attenuating material with acentral less attenuating three-dimensional region. The volume of X-rayattenuating material can be positioned within 10 cm from an X-ray sourceand rotated around an internal axis of rotation. The volume of X-rayattenuating material can be symmetric around the internal axis while thecentral less attenuating region can be asymmetric around the internalaxis. The volume of X-ray attenuating material can be a rotatableelement such that attenuation of an X-ray beam through the filter is afunction of the angular orientation of the rotatable element around theinternal axis. Rotating the volume by a predetermined angle around theinternal axis can change the amount of attenuation of an X-ray beamthrough the filter. The volume can be rotated by the same predeterminedangle as an imaging subject or X-ray source and detector are rotatedduring X-ray image acquisition.

The rotatable element can be a cylinder, and the less attenuatingcentral region may be an elliptic cylinder or cone or may have anelliptic cross section. Cross sectional dimensions of the lessattenuating central region may vary with height of the three-dimensionalvolume. The less attenuating central region may be hollow. The lessattenuating central region can also be a miniaturized shape of theimaging subject or otherwise tailored to a predetermined imagingsubject. The rotatable element can include aluminum or iron. Propertiesof the rotatable element can be adjusted prior to imaging based on apreliminary measurement of the imaging subject. A stationary filterelement can also be provided and conform to outer edges of the rotatableelement to equalize distances of X-ray beam paths through the filter.

These and other objects and advantages of the various embodiments of thepresent invention will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in theart after reading the following detailed description of the embodimentsthat are illustrated in the various drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a diagram representing components of an adaptive X-ray filterof one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a diagram representing an adaptive filter of one embodimentof the present invention in one possible shape.

FIG. 2B is a diagram representing another possible shape of the adaptivefilter of the embodiment of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing one shape of an embodiment of the presentinvention wherein attenuating media is contained in a bag orsupplementary vessel.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing another shape of an embodiment of thepresent invention wherein attenuating media is contained in a bag orsupplementary vessel.

FIG. 4A is a diagram representing another configuration for control ofthe flexion of a pair of flexible sheets in an adaptive filter of oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a diagram representing the configuration of FIG. 4A in astate with increased flexion of the sheets.

FIG. 5A is a diagram representing an adaptive filter having a rotatingelement of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a diagram representing the adaptive filter of the embodimentof FIG. 5A in a second orientation.

FIG. 5C is a diagram representing another orientation of the filter ofthe embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B.

FIG. 6 is a diagram representing a cross section of a filter of oneembodiment of the present invention wherein a hollow region in anotherwise attenuating structure varies with height of the structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction withthese embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended tolimit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the inventionis intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, whichmay be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detaileddescription of embodiments of the present invention, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe present invention. However, it will be recognized by one of ordinaryskill in the art that the present invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detailas not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram representing components of an adaptive X-ray filterof one embodiment of the present invention. An adaptive X-ray filter 80can comprise one or more flexible sheets 10, an attenuating media 21,and a sheet shape controller 71 for controlling aspects of flexiblesheets 10. Attenuating media 21 may be coupled to flexible sheets 10,e.g., in a manner such that changes in aspects of flexible sheet 10affect the spatial distribution of attenuating media 21. Adaptive X-rayfilter 80 can be coupled to an X-ray image acquisition device 70, forexample by being attached to an X-ray source or gantry, or in any spacein the X-ray beam path between a source and detector or between a sourceand the imaging subject. Adaptive filter 80 can be positioned relativeto X-ray image acquisition device 70 such that controlling aspects offlexible sheets 10 can affect the spatial distribution of attenuatingmedia 21 in the X-ray beam path. For example, increasing the amount,e.g., thickness, of attenuating media in the beam path in apredetermined region of the beam path can increase the attenuation ofsaid region of the beam, e.g., decrease the intensity of the beam inthat region.

Attenuating media 21 may comprise attenuating particles, including butnot limited to microparticles or nanoparticles of an attenuatingmaterial or materials. Attenuating materials may have an atomic numbergreater than or equal to 12. For example, such particles can comprisewithout limitation lead, gold, rhenium, silver, tungsten, niobium,cadmium, bismuth, thallium, iridium, copper, aluminum, iron, orpalladium particles, or any other similar materials or alloys thereof.In one embodiment of the present invention, a concentration ofattenuating particles can be very high, e.g., such that particles arecontacting one another. In this embodiment, a gel, fluid, or similarlubricant may be provided for decreasing friction between particles,e.g., when sliding past one another to conform to different filterstates. In another embodiment of the present invention, theconcentration of attenuating particles can be lower, with particlesbeing suspended in a gel, fluid, or similar medium. Gels or fluids inthe attenuating media of embodiments of the present invention cancomprise without limitation any physical gel, chemical gel, hydrogel,organogel, xerogel, or other natural or synthetic gel or fluid.

Sheets 10 can be made of any pliable or semi-pliable materials,including but not limited to metals, alloys, plastics, polymers, or anyother materials. In one embodiment of the present invention, sheets 10can comprise stainless steel. Sheet shape controller 71 may comprise oneor more motors, stepper motors, linear actuators, hydraulic or pneumaticactuators, worm drives, encoders, and any other mechanical or electricalcomponents or combinations thereof. Sheet shape controller 71 mayfurther comprise computing or processing capabilities, including withoutlimitation a processor, microprocessor, controller, microcontroller,logic chip, or any similar device or connection to an external platform.

FIG. 2A is a diagram representing an adaptive filter of one embodimentof the present invention in one possible shape. A set of flexible sheets10 can control the distribution of an attenuating inner media, e.g., inthe path of an X-ray beam. FIG. 2B is a diagram representing anotherpossible shape of the adaptive filter of the embodiment of FIG. 2A. InFIG. 2B, the shape of FIG. 2A is indicated with dashed lines while and asecond shape is shown with solid lines. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2Aand 2B flexible sheets 10 may be configured to bend, bow, or otherwiseconform to a variety of shapes, including but not limited to those shownin the two figures.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, a separator 13 is shown connecting sheets10. Separator 13 can maintain a fixed separation between center pointsof sheets 10. When pressure is applied, some regions of sheets 10 maymove outward, increasing the distance between sheets 10 at many pointswhile maintaining separation at the sheets' centers. However, in otherembodiments separator 13 may be omitted. A variety of shapes arepossible and may be tailored to allow the distance between sheets 10 toincrease, decrease, or stay the same at predetermined points. Inembodiments comprising a fixed distance between a center point of theflexible sheets, e.g., a separator 13 as shown in the embodiment of FIG.2A, said fixed distance can be between 0 cm and 2 cm, inclusive.

Attenuating media can be contained between sheets 10 in one of a varietyof manners. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, an outer reservoir16 may be provided. Reservoir 16 may store supplemental or overflowamounts of attenuating media. For example, in a transition between theshapes of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, attenuating media may flow into reservoir16. In a transition between the second state and first state,attenuating media may flow out of reservoir 16 to fill in volume betweensheets 10. An orifice, pipe, or other feature may be provided to allowattenuating media 21 to flow between flexible sheets 10 and reservoir16.

As previously described, distance between the outer sheets may beselectable or variable, e.g., if contacts with outer housing arevariable or sliding points of contact, or may be fixed. A wider distancebetween outer sheets can accommodate a greater amount of attenuatingmedia, which may be useful, for example, for imaging relatively largerpatients. In one embodiment of the present invention, the concentrationof attenuating particles in the inner attenuating matter can be selectedprior to each imaging situation. For example, the attenuation propertiesof an imaging subject can be determined, and a custom gel can be createdand inserted into the filter reservoir. In this embodiment, the filterapparatus can further comprise a cleaning or washing mechanismconfigured to clean or wash gel out of the filter once imaging has beencompleted.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are diagrams showing an embodiment of the presentinvention wherein attenuating media is contained in a bag orsupplementary vessel. The bag or vessel can be fixed at points to eachof the flexible sheets. As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, in thisembodiment attenuating media 21 in a vessel 20 may adapt to changes indistances between sheets 10 without use of an outer reservoir or flow ofthe media. When the distances, e.g., volume, between sheets 10 arerelative small, attenuating media can be stored outside of the imagingpath, as shown in FIG. 3A. When distances between sheets 10 are widened,vessel 20 and attenuating media 21 can be pulled back into the imagingpath and can increased the attenuation of the filter. Vessel 20 can beattached to predetermined points or along the lengths of sheets 10 withany type of adhesives, fastening mechanisms, or combinations thereof.

In embodiments that have been described and similar embodiments of thepresent invention, the thickness of each of flexible sheets containingattenuating media, e.g., the thickness of each of sheets 10, can bebetween 100 μm and 5 mm. The thickness of each of the sheets can furtherbe between 100 μm and 500 μm, 500 μm and 1 mm, 1 mm and 1.5 mm, 1.5 mmand 2 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm, or 3 mm and 5 mm, inclusive, and any otherinteger or non-integer number of micrometers or millimeters within orbetween the enumerated ranges. An uncompressed length of sheets 10 maybe between 1 cm and 20 cm, inclusive. Sheets may also have anuncompressed length between 1 cm and 15 cm, 1 cm and 10 cm, 1 cm and 9cm, 1 cm and 8 cm, 1 cm and 7 cm, 1 cm and 6 cm, or 1 cm and 5 cm,inclusive, and any integer or non-integer number of centimeters withinor between the enumerated ranges.

During CT and other applications, sheets of embodiments of the presentinvention may be compressed up to 70% of their uncompressed height.Amounts of compression implemented during the application can betailored to the width of the imaging subject from different projectionangles. The amount of compression implemented during a scan can furtherbe between 60% and 70%, 50% and 60%, 40% and 50%, 30% and 40%, or 1% and30%, inclusive, and any integer or non-integer percentage within orbetween the enumerated ranges.

FIG. 4A is a diagram representing another configuration for control ofthe flexion of a pair of flexible sheets in an adaptive filter of oneembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment separator 13 maycomprise a pin or beam as previously described or edge-based separatorsas illustrated in the figure. Attenuating media may be contained in avessel as described with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B and is notillustrated here. The flexion of sheets 10 may be controlled by one ormore sets disks 42 positioned between sheets 10 such that sliding disks42 toward separator 13 can increase the flexion of sheets 10 and slidingdisks 42 away from separator 13 can decrease the flexion of sheets 10.FIG. 4B is a diagram representing the configuration of FIG. 4A in astate with increased flexion of the sheets. Sheets 10 can be configuredto bow as illustrated in FIG. 4B as disks 42 are slid inward, e.g.,toward separator 13. The position of disks 42 can be controlled with anymechanism, including but not limited to linear slides, stepper motors,or any other electronic or mechanical actuators, motors, or controllers.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an adaptive X-ray filter cancomprise a rotating element positioned in the X-ray beam path, whereinrotation of the element around an internal axis can alter the amount andspatial pattern of attenuation of the X-ray beam. The adaptive filtercan also comprise stationary elements in addition to the rotatingelement. The construction, shape, internal features, or other aspects ofthe rotating element in this embodiment can be tailored to predeterminedattenuation characteristics of the imaging subject. For example, in oneembodiment, a rotating filter element can comprise a cylinder, block,sphere, or other three-dimensional volume of an attenuating material, inwhich a central region can be hollow or filled with a less attenuatingmaterial. The shape of the hollow or less attenuating region can betailored to predetermined attenuation characteristics of the imagingsubject, e.g., including but not limited to a miniaturized shape of theimaging subject or an attenuation map of the imaging subject. Forexample, the dimensions of a hollow or less attenuating region in apredetermined cross section can be a function or inverse function of anattenuation map of the imaging subject for that cross section.

The attenuating material of such embodiments can include, withoutlimitation, iron, aluminum, and any alloys or combinations thereof. Theattenuating material may also include any material having at atomicnumber between 12 and 80, inclusive. As previously described, a hole orcavity in this material can be hollow or may be filled with a lessattenuating material, which may be any material having an atomic numberlower than the attenuating material, including but not limited to amaterial with an atomic number less than 40, 26, 20, or 13.

FIG. 5A is a diagram representing an adaptive filter having a rotatingelement of one embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment ofFIG. 5A may be utilized for X-ray imaging, e.g., computed tomographyimaging, of a human head. An exemplary cross section 58 of a human headis shown, e.g., for explanation, and which in the configuration of FIG.5A may represent the head facing an X-ray source 100. A filter 50 ofthis embodiment can comprise a rotatable element 53 having a hollow orless attenuating region 52 within it. In one embodiment, rotatableelement 53 can be a cylinder, e.g., a solid cylinder of an attenuatingmaterial with the exception of a hollowed region 52 within it. In theembodiment of FIG. 5A, hollowed or less attenuating region 52 may have across section with a shape similar to the shape of head cross section58. Hollowed or less attenuating region 52 may, for example, have anelliptical cross section or comprise a hollow elliptic cylinder withinrotatable element 53. Stationary filter elements 55 may also be providedand may accommodate rotation of rotatable element 53, e.g., whileequalizing the length of paths of each of X-rays 110 through filter 50.Stationary filter elements 55 may comprise an attenuating material,e.g., a material having an atomic number greater than 39, and mayoptionally be the same material as rotatable element 53.

X-rays 110 can be emitted by X-ray source 100 and detected by an X-raydetector 102. In this embodiment, adaptive filter 50 can be configuredto more greatly attenuate those of X-rays 110 that are not attenuated orattenuated relatively little by the imaging subject, e.g., haverelatively short paths through head cross section 58. As illustrated inFIG. 5A, central ray 105 may travel the longest path through head crosssection 58. Filter 50 may be configured such that central ray 105travels through the least attenuating path through rotatable element 53and stationary elements 55, e.g., the longest path through hollow region52. In this configuration an outer ray 107 that travels a very shortpath through head cross section 58 can be aligned with a moreattenuating path through filter 50, e.g., through attenuating materialin rotatable element 53 and stationary elements 55.

X-ray source 100 and X-ray detector 102 may be rotated around theimaging subject, e.g., for computed tomography or other imagingapplications, changing the orientation of the imaging subject relativeto the source and detector. FIG. 5B is a diagram representing theadaptive filter of the embodiment of FIG. 5A in a second orientation. InFIG. 5B, rotatable element 53 can be rotated by an amount correspondingto the rotation of head cross section 58 relative to X-ray source 100and X-ray detector 102. Rotation of rotatable element 53 can change thedistribution of attenuating material in the paths of X-rays 110, e.g.,relative to FIG. 5A. For example, it can be seen that in the orientationof FIG. 5B central ray 105 can travel a less attenuating path throughfilter 50 compared to the path of central ray 105 through filter 50 inthe orientation of FIG. 5A. The decrease in filter attenuation can berelated to the increase in attenuation by the imaging subject; it canalso be seen that the path of central ray 105 through head cross section58 can be longer, e.g., more attenuating, in the orientation of FIG. 5Bthan in the orientation of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a diagram representing another orientation of the filter ofthe embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B. Filter 50 and head cross section 58are shown being approximately perpendicular to their orientation in FIG.5A. In this orientation, central ray 105 may have a significantlyshorter path through head cross section 58 compared to the orientationof FIG. 5A. Rotatable element 53 can be rotated such that central ray150 has a significantly more attenuating path through filter 50, e.g., ashorter length of hollow region 52 in its path and more attenuation byrotatable element 53. Similarly, outer ray 107 may have a moreattenuating path through head cross section 58 in this orientationrelative to the orientation of FIG. 5A and a less attenuating paththrough filter 50. A plurality of orientations can be implemented, e.g.,with filter 50 being rotated up to 180 degrees or 360 degrees during animaging session. Filter 50 can be rotated in sync with gantry rotation,e.g., with rotation of X-ray source 100 and X-ray detector 102 aroundthe imaging subject.

In one embodiment, filter 50 may be positioned, e.g., centered, between2 cm and 10 cm from X-ray source 100. Filter 50 may, for example, bepositioned between 3 cm and 8 cm, 4 cm and 6 cm, or 4.5 cm and 5.5 cmfrom X-ray source 100, inclusive, or any other integer or non-integernumber of centimeters within the enumerated ranges. In this embodiment,the distance between X-ray source 100 and X-ray detector 102 may bebetween 40 cm and 150 cm, 50 cm and 90 cm, or 60 cm and 80 cm,inclusive, or any integer or non-integer number of centimeters withinthe enumerated ranges. A center of rotation for the X-ray system, e.g.,where an imaging subject may be positioned or centered, may be a pointbetween 10 cm and 140 cm, 20 cm and 80 cm, 30 cm and 70 cm, or 40 cm and60 cm, inclusive, or any integer or non-integer number of centimeterswithin the enumerated ranges. For example, in one embodiment of thepresent invention, X-ray detector 102 may be positioned 70 cm from X-raysource 100, and X-ray source 100, X-ray detector 102, and filter 50 maybe rotated about a point that is 50 cm from X-ray source 100.

Filter 50 may have a height, e.g., a dimension into or out of the pagein the view of FIGS. 5A through 5C, between 0.5 cm and 10 cm, inclusive.Filter 50 may, for example, have a height between 0.75 cm and 1.25 cm,1.25 and 1.75 cm, 1.75 cm and 2.25 cm, 2.25 cm and 2.75 cm, or 2.75 cmand 3.25 cm, inclusive, or any other integer or non-integer number ofcentimeters within or between the enumerated ranges. The diameter, e.g.,outer diameter, of rotatable element 53 may be between 1 cm and 8 cm,inclusive. The diameter of rotatable element 53 may be between 1 cm and2 cm, 2 cm and 3 cm, 3 cm and 4 cm, or 4 cm and 5 cm, inclusive, or anyinteger or non-integer number of centimeters within or between theenumerated ranges. The diameter of rotatable element 53 may, forexample, be 1.5 cm, 1.7 cm, 1.8 cm, 1.9 cm, 2 cm, 2.25 cm, 2.77 cm, or3.6 cm.

Dimensions of stationary filter element 55 may be tailored to createequal path lengths of X-rays 100 through filter 50. Outer surfaces,e.g., the surface nearest X-ray source 100 and the surface nearest X-raydetector 102, of stationary filter element 55 may, for example, bearc-shaped. Arc-shaped outer surfaces may comprise circular arcs, e.g.,centered at the point of X-ray emission from source 100. The distancebetween these outer surfaces, e.g., the path length of X-rays 100through filter 50, may be between 1.2 cm and 10 cm, inclusive. Thedistance between these surfaces may also be between 1.5 cm and 5.5 cm,2.5 cm and 4.5 cm, or 3 cm and 4 cm, inclusive, or any integer ornon-integer number of centimeters within the enumerated ranges. Innersurfaces of stationary filter element 55, e.g., those surfaces nearestrotatable element 53, may follow the shape of rotatable element 53.These surfaces may be configured to allow rotation of element 53 whilebeing positioned within 4 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm, or 1 mm, or 0.5 mm, inclusive,from rotatable element 53. Stationary filter element 55 may, asillustrated in FIGS. 5A through 5C, comprise two or more pieces, e.g.,positioned on opposite sides of rotatable element 53, or may comprise asingle piece, e.g., having a hole or vacancy to accommodate rotatableelement 53.

Dimensions of hollow region 52 may be tailored to a predeterminedapplication or imaging subject. In one embodiment, hollow region 52 cancomprise a vacant elliptic cylinder in rotatable element 53. The, e.g.,vacant, elliptic cylinder may have a major axis between 0.5 cm and 4.9cm, including but not limited to between 0.8 cm and 1.2 cm, 1.2 cm and1.6 cm, 1.6 cm and 2 cm, 2 cm and 2.4 cm, or 2.4 cm and 2.8 cm,inclusive, or any integer or non-integer number of centimeters withinthe enumerated ranges. The cylinder may have a minor axis between 0.1 cmand 3.8 cm, including but not limited to between 0.3 cm and 0.7 cm, 0.7cm and 1.1 cm, 1.1 cm and 1.5 cm, 1.5 and 1.9 cm, or 1.9 cm and 2.3 cm,inclusive, or any integer or non-integer number of centimeters withinthe enumerated ranges. In one embodiment, the minor axis of an elliptichollow region 52 can be between 50% and 55%, 55% and 60%, 60% and 65%,65% and 70%, 70% and 75%, 75% and 80%, 80% and 85%, 85% and 90%, or 90%and 95% of the major axis, inclusive, or any other percentage of themajor axis.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the shape and/ordimensions of hollow region 52 can vary along the height of filter 50,e.g., the direction into or out of the page in the view of FIGS. 5Athrough 5C. FIG. 6 is a diagram representing a cross section of a filterof one embodiment of the present invention wherein a hollow region in anotherwise attenuating structure varies with height of the structure. Forexample, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the dimensions of hollow region52, e.g., diameter or lengths of major and minor axes, may decreasealong the height of rotatable element 53. In this embodiment, thepositioning of rotatable element 53 in front of the X-ray source may beflexible to allow the element to be moved, e.g., up or down, in a mannerto affect the size of the hollow region in the beam path. For example,if rotatable element 53 were positioned with a lower height 602 centeredin the beam path, hollow region 52 could form a relatively larger partof the beam path through the filter than if rotatable element 53 werepositioned with an upper height 601 centered in the beam path.

In one embodiment, dimensions of hollow region 52 may varyproportionally, e.g., the ratio of a major axis and minor axis of anelliptical cross section of hollow region 52 may be maintained throughthe height of rotatable element 53 or a subset of it. In anotherembodiment, dimensions of hollow region 52 may vary disproportionally,e.g., one axis of an elliptical cross section may decrease faster thananother, or one axis may be constant while the other changes.

In this embodiment rotatable element 53, e.g., and filter 50, may have aheight, e.g., a vertical dimension in the view of FIG. 6, between 1 cmand 12 cm, inclusive. Rotatable element 53 may, for example, have aheight between 5.5 cm and 6.5 cm, 6.5 and 7.5 cm, 7.5 cm and 8.5 cm, 8.5cm and 9.5 cm, or 9.5 cm and 10.5 cm, inclusive, or any other integer ornon-integer number of centimeters within or between the enumeratedranges. Any one of a variety of manners for controlling the positioningof rotatable element 53, e.g., the height at which the element ispositioned in the beam path, may be utilized, including but not limitedto motorized or non-motorized linear slides, hydraulic or pneumaticactuators, or similar devices.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a positioning height forrotatable element 53, e.g., size of hollow region 52, can be selectedbased on a measurement or measurements of the imaging subject acquiredprior to X-ray imaging. For example, a measurement of a visible lightimage, a laser scan or laser measurement, or similar measurement can bemade to acquire one or more dimensions of the imaging subject. Inanother embodiment of the present invention, one of a predetermined setof positioning heights can be selected based on an alternativecriterion, including but not limited to age, gender, height, weight, orsimilar metrics, e.g., of a human imaging subject. In anotherembodiment, a preliminary low-dose X-ray scan of the imaging subject,e.g., a scout scan, can be taken without a filter in place or with anon-customized filter in place, and an attenuation map derived from thisscout scan utilized to select and appropriate positioning of rotatableelement 53.

In another embodiment of the present invention, rotatable element 53 maybe customized for an imaging subject. Rotatable element 53 can, forexample, be 3D-printed or otherwise manufactured according to anattenuation map of the imaging subject. An attenuation map of theimaging subject can be acquired, e.g., for a human patient, by a scoutscan or a prior CT scan. For example, a patient scheduled to undergoserial CT scans, e.g., such as during a period of radiation therapytreatments, may have a custom rotatable element or adaptive filtermanufactured after a first CT scan. This custom element or filter can beinserted in the X-ray beam path for each subsequent CT scan. Anattenuation map may also be acquired, e.g., for metrology applications,from simulation or from a scan of a similar part or master workpiece. Acustom rotatable element or filter can be inserted in the X-ray beampath for CT scans of a batch of similar workpieces.

In one embodiment of the present invention, adaptive filter 50 can beutilized for dental computed tomography. Filter 50 can be configured tocontrol the dynamic range on detector 102 during computed tomographyimage of, e.g., the dental structure of a human patient. For example, anoral cavity 56 is indicated in head cross section 58. In one embodiment,hollow region 52 can be ellipsoidal, e.g., having any of the previouslydescribed dimensions. In another embodiment, hollow region 52 can have ashape that is exactly or approximately a miniature shape of a humanhead, e.g., of the predetermined imaging subject. Hollow region 52 canalso be any other function of a measured or predetermined attenuationmap of head cross section 58.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodimentswere chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theinvention and its practical application, to thereby enable othersskilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be definedby the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An X-ray filter for X-ray imaging comprising: afirst flexible sheet; a conformable attenuating media in contact withsaid first flexible sheet; and a second sheet in contact with saidconformable attenuating media.
 2. The X-ray filter of claim 1 furthercomprising: a reservoir for holding excess attenuating media.
 3. TheX-ray filter of claim 1 wherein said second sheet is a flexiblematerial.
 4. The X-ray filter of claim 1 wherein a separation betweencenter points of said first sheet and said second sheet is less that aseparation between said first sheet and said second sheet away from saidcenter points.
 5. The X-ray filter of claim 1 further comprising: aseparator for maintaining a separation distance between said first sheetand said second sheet.